The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-06-23
HIRAM.
Correspondence.


The past week has been busy one
for our people. The preparations for
Commencement, aud entertaining
occupies their entire atten-
ton, and when it is all over, there fol-
lows sense of relief that il truly re.
and there is so much enjoy
ment in rest that we are all glad for
the excitement, and the pleasant asso,
Citations of the company and visitors.
and are just as anxious to welcome |
them again and often.
70 The Commencement exercises pro
per. began Wednesday evening, by the
Hesperian Society, which gave to its
large audience as good. well arranged
and splendidly executed program as
was ever presented to an audience on
such an occasion. Space will not ad-
init of general and elaborate report
of the exercises, and synopsis would
be an ungenerous report of such an
exceedingly fine entertainment. A
novel and pleasing feature was the
violin music by Miss Blanche New
come, who has just finished a musical
course in Germany.
Thursday was hot, sultry and dusty,
but the people came in greater num-
bers than last year, and enjoyed one
of the very pleasantesto occasions with
in the memory of the large number
present. The exercises of the gradu-
ating class were strictly original and
of the very highest order, exhibiting
extensive reading. rich culture and
thorough and perfect training. No
greater credit could be given the fac
ulty for efficiency and solid, substan-
tisl work than the efforts of the class
on this occasion. Diplomas were pre-
Nettie E. Hopkins, Miss Flora 1.
James. and Mr.. Frank w Norloa, in
the Classical course. and John w.
Daniel and Laura r. Laughlin in the
Philosophical course. The Masters
degree was conferred on Lewis l.
Campbell, of Garfield, Warren Craig,
of Newton Falls, and Henry d. Til
den, of Cleveland.
The annual address before the Lit
erary Societies, in the afternoon, by
Hon. A. II. Pettibone. of Tenn, was
the weakest kind of Cruel, and the
weakest address ever delivered here on
such an occasion, that was the general
opinion. When speaker, addressing
promiscuous audience, mentions
Hamilton, John Adams, Lincoln and
Garfield rs the leading statesmen of
the country, and leaves out Jefferson,
Madison, Jackson, Sumner, Chase,
Seymour and Tilden, he shows either
| limited reading or a very narrow and
bigoted mind. A goodly portion of
the audience wisely slept during the
reading of the address.
The Delphic entertainment in the
evening was generously pat-onized,
and would undoubtedly been voted a
success, had not the Hesperians cap.
tured all the appreciation the previous
ever ing. There has always been hot
rivalry between the Societies, and if
the race was more of the neck and
neck style it probably would be better
for the members While the strong
will gain appreciation, the weak will
gain sympathy. And so twill ever be. ,
The meeting of the Alumni Friday
was well att 'nded, James Warren de-
livering the address. This association
is growing strong, embracing as it does
u large membership scattered all over
the country, and engaged in all the
honorable occupations, cannot but
/ have its share of Influences that con-
Germ not only the individual members
but the sffairs of their Alma Mater
There were a great many from dis
tance. Jack Weston, from south
western Nebraska, was present for the
first time in 95 years; G. d. Wilbur,
also from Nebraska, one of the first
teachers, had not been to Commence
ment for great many years; Sutton
Young, from Dakota, VIM. 81. Hudson
from Chicago, and numbers from Ak.
| TOu, w dTFou, duu lOuuSSIOWu. Large
delegationg from all the adjoining
counties and especially omCleveland
and CuyahOga county. Clinton and
Harrison. counties were represented,
and above all, the Office hunters were
busy repairing fences. We noticed
that the baskets were more numerous
than heretofore, which is as it should
be. Although good meal can be had
for 25 cents, yet the delay and irrita-
ton waiting to be served, is very an
noying, and where there is good, clean
shade, good water in plenty, basket
dinner is particularly enjoyable. May
these basket dinners increase in the
future on these occasions. and the pub.
lie have many such enjoyable occa.
sions as they had last week.
The Annual Preachers Meeting''
will convene here Tuesday of this
week, aud continue till Friday, and
then an apparent rest and quiet for a
couple of months.
Plenty of rain and all crops boom.
ing. II.